I've got a life long friend I hunt with. We have always been on the same page on food plots, stand placement, heard management and hunting the wind. If for some unforeseen reason we couldn't hunt together anymore I probably would give it up. I ain't got the time or patience to put up with a bunch of deer hunting drama queens. Been there done that.

They have to be on the same page. One guy I hunt with is good because we don't have say or tell each other to do something,we just do it without say. We are very like minded and that makes for good day in the woods.

Any and all of my kids (5 boys) and their buddies and GFs! They are the best. I have also had great hunting partners outside that. Many military buddies and those who don't take it too seriously as I don't. I really want someone who simply enjoys being in the woods.

As my dad used to say, and it took me awhile to understand, "I am taking my rifle for a walk in the woods." What I primarily do these days - and really enjoy it!

This^. Someone who is safe and good with a firearm. It don't matter how good of a hunter they are if they are careless in where they point their rifle or how they handle it, it's over for me. They also need to have good woodsmanship skills and NOT BE A COMPLAINER.
I've hunted with a lot of people, but I'd say there are less than 5 that I know who fit this criteria.

The best hunting partner is one that hunts a separate property.

One with big breasts that your wife don't know about.

I'm in the Matt Brock camp, 90% of the time I've spent deer hunting my entire life I've been alone. When I do hunt with someone I'm not much of a tour guide or babysitter.I will change my MO with a kid. When I go in the woods at daylight, I may stay till 9 am or till dark. I don't want to have to leave at prime time because someone else wants to leave. When I do hunt with others, I want to hunt with good woodsmen, who when they shoot, something dies. Deer huntin' is not a team sport IMO. If I wanted to socialize , I'd join the country club.

Rereading. I am basically in Matt's camp. I would like to hunt with someone as I am older and never know what might happen. I also like the social aspect.

BUT I almost ALWAYS hunt alone. Time and I just don't really want to hunt with someone else. I like the solitude - really why I go to the woods/hunt anyway! Also why I make sure my cell phone is fully charged and the wife knows where I am on the property.

Only time I care to have company deer hunting is the couple of times I go with my dad or if I take my grandad(84). Two best and only huntin partners I could ask for.

Me and my buddy hunt together the majority of the time. He probably saved my life a few years ago when i stepped off in a hole while we were wading a creek. Went from ankle deep to way over my head. Waders filled up immediately and it was freezing cold. Ican hunt alone and do close to home it doesnt bother me but we mostly hunt public land on the river and i dont like to go out in the boat alone when its that cold.

^^^^This!

I love helping people on their farms and appreciate the help in return. But when it comes to the hunting, it's a lot easier if they hunt their place and I'll hunt mine. Pretty much eliminates all the issues. You can still hang out after the hunt is over or film one another, but I like it when I hunt my place and he hunts his.

On time, mouth shut, focused on hunting.

My son is a great hunting partner because he is eager to learn and eats up everything I tell him about hunting. He doesn't give me the "that guy" stories or tunes me out. If it is about hunting, he soaks it up like a sponge. And does everything I tell him to do in regards to hunting with nothing but a yes sir.
Not only does he help with the hunting camp chores, he does so eagerly and loves going down there just to work. The guys I hunt with are all great and put him to work and treat him like he is an important part of our little operation. I think that is why he is becoming a hunting man I can be button busting proud of.

He makes me proud with his church activities, He does his chores around the house, makes decent grades, works hard and starts as a 10th grader on his schools varsity football team, and I'm proud he is my son when we go to the country to hunt. Oh, did I say he accepted salvation and was baptized and couple of years ago. How could he not be my favorite hunting buddy?

If only he would do all that with Algebra 2.

I'm a loner big time when it comes to hunting. My daughter and Dad are always welcome. My Dad goes with me 95% of the time and is down with whatever as far as where I put him and how long were staying. I don't rough him up to bad when he shoots a 6 and thought it was a 10.Lol The older I get the less its becoming about me.Turkey hunting same story.

Before you know it hunting partners will be getting married but when they get a divorce, who gets the lease and who gets the stands? Hmmm

Others have said it already, but to me, the number 1 trait that makes a good hunting partner is punctuality. I've only had one or two experiences with folks who weren't punctual. We no longer hunt together.

A good partner also needs to be fairly independent. I don't want to babysit on the limited amount of days I have to hunt. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about helping you drag a deer to the road or whatever.

Put in on gas or drive every now and then.

With all that said, I've got a good 'un that is a much better hunting partner than I am. He knows his way around the areas we hunt. He's been killing big boys since before I was born and he's forgotten more about deer hunting than I'll likely eve know.

The best hunting partners are the ones who drag all the deer you harvest.

I seem to be outside the norm then. I'm not a fan of hunting by myself. I mostly hunt with my brother and dad. My son is 7 and I plan on him being my hunting partner also. If something were to happen and I didn't have someone I went hunting with I'd probably quit hunting. Not having someone to enjoy it with takes away from most of it for me.

To me it's someone that'll hold the light for you and help tote corn to your stand.

Jawbone, I will back you up here. Link Jones and I were talking on the way home from working with him last weekend about how he is really coming into his own, growing up to be a fine young man.